Nike Football Training Centre, Soweto
Nike Football Training Centre, Soweto
The Football Training Centre. Soweto (FTC.S) was an existing football training ground for approximately 1 200 youth clubs under the administration of Soweto Football Association. The objective was to refurbish the centre and transform it into a state of the art facility, intended to be a performance and life skills centre for the development of football for the youth in Soweto.
The concept for the building was a unique, high-end design that is appropriate and well integrated into its environment. The architecture envisaged a ‘living structure’, with different qualities throughout the day. For this reason natural materials, a combination of sandstone cladding, gabion walls and timber, was used. Timber screens on the facade soften the robust exterior materials. The juxtaposition of these natural materials against the harsh context and Highveld climate maximises the intended dramatic quality. The project, conceptualised by Luyanda Mpahlwa Design Space Africa in association with the Nike design team of Andy Walker, Sean Pearson and Ruben Reddy was a product of international collaboration.
Soccer City Stadium
The calabash, or African pot design of the FNB Stadium, proposed by Boogertman + Partners in 2006, was selected by Dr. Danny Jordaan as being the most recognisable object to represent the African continent. The calabash which represents a ‘melting pot of African cultures’, was embraced by the City of Johannesburg as well as worldwide.
The façade, made up of reinforced concrete panels in a selection of eight colours referencing the calabash’s colour and texture, is punctured by openings which illuminates the façade from within. The calabash further symbolises the African tradition of sharing the beer pot amongst all at a gathering. This idea of inclusiveness is taken a step further by connecting all the other stadia that played host to the 64 games of the FIFA 2010 World Cup. The façade is articulated by 10 vertical slots which are aligned geographically with the nine other 2010 stadia, as well as the 2009 Berlin stadium making up the tenth line.
Circa on Jellicoe
Located on a busy urban intersection, Circa on Jellicoe by StudioMAS Architects and Urban Designers marks a prominent public intervention that challenges perceptions of ‘art’ and ‘art galleries’, but most importantly, challenges people’s perceptions of what architecture can be. When viewed together with the existing Everard Read gallery, Circa is evidently more than just an art space; it aims to provide multi-functional semi-public space that alters perspectives of everyday life in the city.
Primarily its form aims to intrigue people through a process of discovery, drawing them into this flexible space that caters for large meeting places for public events or smaller private functions. The architecture is a sculpture, moulding itself around its contents. Circa comprises of three levels; the public ground floor, consists of 106m2 of craft exhibition space. Beyond this, users traverse a perimeter ramp that connects ground and first floor exhibition and events spaces.
The South African Institute of Architects Award for Excellence was introduced in 1990, and is conferred every second year where it recognises an exceptional contribution to the field of architecture. The award programme was revised in 1999, and now includes the Awards of Merit running concurrently. The Corobrik-SAIA Awards of Merit are to be conferred at a function to be held in September 2012 as part of the SAIA AZA Biennial convention which is being held in Cape Town. The panel of adjudicators for the 2011/12 Awards is being convened by the President of the Institute, Fanuel Motsepe, and consists of Peter Kidger from Corobrik and an academic architect, Philippa Tumubweinee and designer David Tlale.
The 2011/12 awards have seen a total of 55 entries, a marked increase from previous years, and significantly, the Institute received entries from two new regions – the Northern Cape Institute of Architects and the North West Province Institute of Architects.
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Ends
Prepared for the SA Institute of Architects
For more information, kindly contact Su Linning or Marina Meyer on 011 782 1315. Marina Meyer’s cell number is 083 231 9271.
Distributed by Shirley Williams telephone 083 303 1663 or shirley@swcommunications.co.za
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
